Pickles!

I have been wanting to learn how to pickle for years... and just have never managed to actually try it. This summer, I was determined. We planted a pickling cucumber, and when our first few fruits began to appear last week, I decide I had better learn what to do with them!
I started easy.. refrigerator pickles. I have canning equipment, and know how to can, but decided that with only one cucumber plant, I would probably never have enough cucumbers ready at one time to make the whole canning process worth it. So, refrigerator pickles it is!
I followed some basic instructions found here. In a 2 quart jar I put sliced cucumbers, jalapenos, garlic, fresh dill, mustard seeds, peppercorns, a bay leaf, a couple grape leaves (supposedly to ensure crispness!). then I poured in a solution of water, brown sugar, white vinegar and white wine vinegar. Shake, refrigerate and wait!

First batch: WAY too sweet

 Well, the first batch came out WAY too sweet for my liking. I was wondering about the brown sugar, and it turns out that it wasn't a good idea.
So, my second batch of pickles was pretty similar, except I used red pepper flakes instead of jalapeno, and I used a solution of white vinegar, water and a small amount of salt.
Batch 2 came out much better. Pretty darn good in fact. I am looking forward to experimenting some more with pickles this summer. Do you have a delicious pickle recipe?

Second Batch: Pretty darn good!